How to Apply For a Lake Lure Boat Permit Under New Town Changes

The Town of Lake Lure announced new procedures for boat permit applications as part of broader organizational changes approved by the town council.

Beginning March 16, boat permits issued by the town will be sold at The Landings, located at 920 Buffalo Creek Road. Permit sales will pause on March 13 while staff and information technology systems transition operations to the new location, according to a town statement released March 11.

Permit sales will resume on March 16. Residents and visitors seeking a permit must submit an application to the town, which is available on the town's website. Applications can be submitted by email, mail, or in person, the announcement said. A limited number of permits are available at a higher cost to non-residents, public records show. 

Boaters are also required by the town to take a safety test, in accordance with its 38-page Lake Use Regulations. The Marine Commission has adopted limits on motorized boat permits for vessels with engines greater than 10 horsepower. Under the regulations, "The commission allows up to 1,000 resident seasonal or 90-day motorized use permits...In addition, a maximum of 100 seasonal permits are available for non-residents. To qualify, non-resident applicants must have a designated commercial or town berth, and non-resident renters with slips at a town marina are guaranteed a permit." 

Non-motorized watercraft, such as individual kayaks and paddleboards, do not require a permit from the user. However, there are permit fees for commercial use, such as having them available at a short-term vacation rental.

Applications can also be submitted in person at The Landings during administrative office hours, which will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning March 16.

Officials said the changes are part of a broader restructuring intended to improve efficiency and coordination across town departments while maintaining existing services.

As part of the reorganization, the town has created a unified Emergency Services Department led by Fire Chief Dustin Waycaster. The department now includes both fire and police as a division of emergency management.

Under the restructuring, responsibilities previously handled by the Parks, Recreation and Lake Department will shift to other departments.

Boat permits and related services will now be handled by the town’s finance department, while lake enforcement will be overseen by the police division through a lake enforcement and safety officer, Dana Bradley.

Parks and trails maintenance will be managed by the public works department.

Town officials also said the current public services director, Dean Lindsey, will transition into a project manager role focused on infrastructure projects, disaster recovery, and grant-funded initiatives. Operational leadership will continue under a public services director promoted from within the department.

The Lake Advisory Board and Parks and Recreation Board will continue serving in advisory roles to the town council and will meet at The Landings under the updated structure.

The lake remains closed to the public at this time for repairs from Hurricane Helene, but hope to have it reopen by Memorial Day, depending on rainfall, officials said on Feb. 27.